This only happens to strong people

[clevermanka]

My back is a bit better today. I can move around without cringing, at least. Still staying home from work, though. I have to lie down every half hour or so to avoid too much pain/strain.

Something I didn't mention in yesterday's post about the injury was something that Mike said. He's the HSES grad student who found and helped me. As I was getting my stuff together to leave hobble out the door, he said, "You know, these sorts of things only happen to strong people."

What a kind, wonderful, and inspiring thing to say. Because yeah, unfit people tweak their backs all the time. But they don't usually do it because they were at the end of their last set of 70% of bodyweight deadlift reps (if they're doing that and they're unfit, they deserve a good kick in the head along with the tweaked back).

When I told him about Mike's comment, mckitterick pointed out that it was also true that injuries like this are part and parcel of radical improvements to body strength. I suppose it's possible that someone could experience a lifetime of physical improvement and muscle building without ever injuring themselves, but I can't imagine that ever actually happening.

An active life is going to result in some injuries. It happens. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to injure myself on a heavy lift. I might be pretty immobile now, but I'm going to be active again. And soon.

Comments

[splix.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that introductory post. I'm always curious when people talk about their health issues, but I'm never certain how openly curious it's polite to be, so it's good to have the background info. Pulling for you to feel well.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I like to be open about all my health stuff because I don't want anyone to ever feel ashamed about a disease or disability around me. I'll answer any question or offer opinions (when I can) about most health stuff--even the ones some people might consider TMI.

And thank you! It's been a long road, but I am so much better than when I started. SO MUCH.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

That really is inspiring.. and comforting.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Isn't it? Just....perfect.

[siro-gravity.livejournal.com]

:(

Man does that suck. Mike's comment, though...what a total gem. I want to kiss the dude and I don't even know him.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

He is just so great. Every interaction I've had with him, and just watching him work with/around other people in the gym has just been aces.

[ms-danson.livejournal.com]

What a lovely comment.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

It really was. I hope next time I see him I remember to tell him how much that meant to me.

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

go Mike!

that is a good thing to remember when things get frustrating.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'm for sure using it as one of my mottos. Like "Even When You're Tired."

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

This icon KILLS ME (well, ALMOST, because now I feel stronger).

[sherwood21.livejournal.com]

That is incredibly thoughtful of him to say. And it is a good thing to remember.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I bet he's a good coach.

[hdsqrl.livejournal.com]

Wow! What a great way to view these sorts of things! How very true! :D

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Coach Mike: Come for the physiology, stay for the philosophy!

[seascribe.livejournal.com]

I'm still blown away by the 70% of your body weight lift thing. If you've gotta get hurt, that's an impressive way to do it.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

SILVER LININGS, YO

[chronovore.livejournal.com]

ROCK. ON.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

That's actually a really comforting statement.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I like Mike. =)